The Orbea Oiz, Fox's new Speedframe and the Genesis Vagabond
This week's Five Cool Things and the top stories of the week.
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The final Five Cool Things of 2024!
Five Cool Things and a look at this week's best stories.
We take a look at some of the UK's top hand-made bikes and the best stories from the week.
Five Cool Things is back – and we've got some seriously cool kit to show off.
The new-year cobwebs have well and truly blown off, and we've got a solid flow of kit moving through the office, the coolest five of which you'll see here. This week, we're going to take a look at the brand-spanking new Orbea Oiz, the Genesis Vagabond, and Fox's newest Speedframe helmet. But that's not all as we've also got OneUp Components' grips and a huge bar bag from Rekki Works. Let's dive in.
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This week has been another strong week on the content front – especially news. Starting things off, Orbea has unveiled its new Alma, which gets an interesting flexy seat tube design for comfort during red-line XC efforts. Shimano has brought its CUES ecosystem to drop bar bikes, and after its agreement lapse, the UCI has forced Ritchey to redesign its Rainbow logo. Fox also lifted the lid on its new Speedframe helmet.
Despite the evenings growing longer, the night riding season isn't quite over yet, so we've brought you the best mountain bike lights we've tested. Additionally, we also recap all the details that set road bikes and mountain bikes apart.
It's been a huge week for reviews too as we look at Trek's Top Fuel 8 Gen 4 mountain bike, Renthal's Revo-F flat pedals, 7iDP's Project 21 Pro Trail helmet and Crankbrothers' Stamp 1 Gen 2 flat pedals.
Fox Speedframe Pro
£165
2025 fox speedframe Pro side.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Earlier this week, Fox Racing unveiled its long-awaited update to its Speedframe open-face helmet. The brand hasn't given us all the details but there are three models available, all featuring different models of Mips with this Speedframe Pro being the middle-priced option with Mips Air Node.
All helmets benefit from an adjustable visor and a sunglasses dock, with other updates featuring a new shell with more ventilation than before. However, at least one thing remains the same – the form. The new Speedframe gets the same interior shape, so those looking to make the upgrade can do so knowing that it should fit identically to the old helmet.
Orbea Oiz M21
£5,000
Orbea Oiz M21 Hero.jpg, by Matthew Page
The Oiz retains its racy demeanour and lightweight intentions but now features Orbea's new Squidlock allowing riders to make suspension lockout adjustments and actuate the dropper post with a single thumb.
With cross-country courses getting more technical, the Oiz is equipped with 120mm of suspension at both ends, and the seat tube has been steepened while the stack has been lowered for more control. The reach is slightly longer, too, at 450mm on a medium to add stability to the descents.
On offer is a whopping range of 11 models and the M21 sits at a lower to midpoint. Its suspension comes in the form of a RockShox Sid Select fork paired with a Sidluxe Select+ shock. It uses SRAM's GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and Shimano M6100 disc brakes. Apart from the Fizik Vento Argo X5 saddle, the finishing kit comes from Orbea's componentry brand, Oquo, and the bike rolls on a pair of Maxxis Rekon Race tyres.
Genesis Vagabond
£2,300
2025 genesis vagabond.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Monstercross or gravel plus? Well, that's what Genesis says about the Vagabond, as it's shaped to push the boundaries of gravel. It is slated to pack the go-anywhere attitude of gravel, but thanks to a longer, higher and slacker geometry, it's primed for big and rowdy rides.
One of the key headlines of the Vagabond is that it can accommodate 2.35in mountain bike tyres and is built as standard with rims donning 35mm internal widths. That should rustle up plenty of compliance and comfort. Genesis has added the dropped seat-stay design found on the Croix De Fer model to aid the cause. Of course, there are also tonnes of mounts and to slow down those big tyres, there are big brakes with a 180mm rotor up front and a 160mm rotor at the rear.
As for the geometry, it's certainly out there for a gravel bike with a 69-degree head angle, a 74-degree seat tube angle and a 475mm effective reach on a large frame.
Rekki works DX35
TBC
2025 rekki works bag 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Rekki Works' DX35 can carry up to 35L of kit in a semi-modular style. It's built in two halves with a six-litre 'gearlid' that sits on top of the main 25L bucket. The gearlid is removable, too, so it can be tailored for the ride you're looking to accomplish.
Rekki Works says that this pack is designed for both flat and drop bars, and it is complete with a shower cap or waterproof cover for the gearlid. Included is a drybag liner, and there are four attachment points to fit onto a range of handlebar heights for front wheel clearance.
OneUp Components Thick Grips
£25
2025 oneup grips 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Completing OneUp Components' range of cockpit components is the Thick Grips. Available in three thicknesses, in classic OneUp style, the brand has moved the goal posts.
These grips are properly chunky, coming with a 35mm outer diameter with a 20A durometer rubber bringing the traction. The palm area is bulged and there are ridges on the underside of the grip to mesh with creases in the fingers.
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